Install a drift or punch into the brake rotor and against the caliper to prevent the wheel hub from turning.

Install a new hub spindle nut and tighten to 118 ft. lbs. (160 Nm).

Install the wheel.

Check the fluid level in the rear differential.

Because the outer joint is essentially a press-fit in the hub and the steering knuckle also needs to be disconnected from the lower control arm, special tools are needed for this job, including a good-quality hub/spindle puller. Use care is using substitutes or expensive damage may result. In general, halfshaft service is not for the inexperienced or ill-equipped.

WARNING

Use care when removing the halfshaft. Tri-pot joints can be damaged if the drive axle is over-extended. It is important to handle the halfshaft in a manner to prevent over-extending. Protect the CV-joint boots. Don't let them contact tools or other components. In addition, procure new service replacement hub nuts and tie rod end torque prevailing nuts. The originals, once removed, should not be reused.

Raise and safely support the vehicle.

Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

Disconnect the stabilizer shaft link by removing the through bolt where it passes through the lower control arm and connects to the stabilizer shaft.

Fig. Prevent the rotor from turning by inserting a drift pin through the caliper and into the rotor

Fig. Remove the spindle nut (1) and washer (2)

Remove the front halfshaft, or drive axle, spindle nut. The torque specification on this nut is 150 ft. lbs. (205 Nm). To keep the brake rotor and hub assembly from turning when removing the nut, insert a suitably sized drift pin or other suitable tool through the brake caliper inspection opening into the brake rotor's ventilation openings. This should lock the assembly in place so the spindle nut can be loosened. It is good practice to wire-brush any exposed threads on the end of the spindle and apply a generous coating of penetrating oil.

Fig. Use a suitable puller to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle

Detach the tie rod end from the steering knuckle by removing the torque prevailing hex nut. It should be replaced with a new part. This design tie rod has a tapered joint that GM says has been designed to separate easily, unlike previous joints of this type. If required, use a tie rod puller tool to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.

WARNING

Use care when working around the steering knuckle. If equipped with ABS brakes, there is a wheel speed sensor that reads off a toothed wheel that is part of the outer CV-Joint. The sensor wiring attached to the knuckle should be treated carefully.

Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle by removing the cotter pin and loosening the nut. Do not remove the nut yet. Install a ball joint puller to separate the joint from the knuckle. By keeping the nut in place as the puller is being used to press the ball stud from the knuckle, the threads on the ball stud are protected so the ball joint can be reused. Now remove the puller and the nut and detach the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.

Fig. Remove the cotter pin with needlenose pliers, and discard the pin

Fig. With the slotted nut removed, separate the hub assembly from the lower balljoint. The halfshaft is not shown in this view

Separate the axle from the hub using a hub puller. Don't try to hammer on the end of the spindle or the outer CV-joint and possibly also the hub bearing will be damaged. Use a hub puller to press the spindle out of the hub. It is good practice to leave the hub nut in place to protect the threads on the spindle as the hub puller presses the spindle free of the hub.

Fig. Use a suitable puller to separate the halfshaft from the hub and bearing assembly

Fig. Using a large prytool to carefully separate the inner CV-joint from the transaxle case

Fig. Be very careful to avoid damaging any components when prying the halfshaft from the axle

Fig. GM recommends their slide hammers used with C-shaped plates to pull the halfshafts

Fig. Carefully remove the halfshaft from the vehicle

Fig. The transaxle end of the halfshaft is grooved with a retaining circlip (1)

Fig. While the halfshaft is removed, be sure not to get any dirt or other debris in the transaxle case

Fig. Use care when handling the halfshaft to avoid damaging it

Remove the halfshafts (drive axles) from the transaxle, as follows:

Right Side: GM recommends their axle shaft removing set which consists of C-shaped plates that fit behind the inner CV-joint, between the joint and the transaxle housing. A slide hammer attaches to the C-plates so the halfshaft can be popped free of the transaxle.

Left Side: Using the subframe for leverage, carefully separate the halfshaft from the transaxle with a suitable prytool in the groove provided on the inner joint.

WARNING

Do not put the wheels back on the vehicle and attempt to move the vehicle with the drive axles removed from the hub and wheel bearings. The wheels could fall off, dropping the vehicle to the ground and causing personal injury and/or expensive damage to the vehicle.

To install:

Clean all parts well. Inspect the halfshafts and the CV-boots. Service, if required, using the Overhaul procedures found in this section.

NOTE

Use care handling the halfshafts to avoid damage to the boots and clamps.

Push the halfshaft into the transaxle. Verify that the halfshaft is seated by grasping the inner joint housing and pulling. It is important to make sure the halfshaft is seated. Do
NOT
pull on the drive axle shaft, only on the inner CV-joint.

Install the halfshaft/drive axle end into the hub and bearing assembly.

Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Tighten the nut to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm). Align the slots in the nut to the cotter pin hole in the ball stud by tightening the nut further, if required. DO NOT loosen the nut to align the holes for the cotter pin. Install a new cotter pin.

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a new service replacement torque prevailing nut and tighten to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) plus an additional 180° of rotation.

Install a new service replacement front wheel drive axle nut. To keep the brake rotor and hub assembly from turning when tightening the nut, insert a suitably sized drift pin or other suitable tool through the brake caliper inspection opening into the brake rotor's ventilation openings, locking the assembly in place so the spindle nut can be tightened. Torque the nut to 150 ft. lbs. (205 Nm).

Install the stabilizer through bolt from the bottom of the control arm to the stabilizer bar link and tighten the nut to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).